Decision On Building Heights Heads For Final Vote

October 27, 2002|By Angela Delgado Staff Writer

MIAMI BEACH — Preservationists in Miami Beach will have to wait another month to see whether commissioners will maintain their decision to set the building height limit on Ocean Drive below Fifth Street to no more than 75 feet.

Neither the developers nor the preservationists are fully satisfied with the 5-2 decision on the height restrictions, a compromise between developers' 100-foot and preservationists' 35-foot requests. Both sides say the battle will continue. The commission will take a final vote on Nov. 13.

"I thought it was the best that could be reached among the commissioners," said Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer. "I've always been for low height and low density, but sometimes you have to compromise."

"Our buildings are not viable the way they are," said Ted Bliss, owner of the Sea Crest Apartments on Ocean Drive. "We have to be able to somehow generate additional income to subsidize the restoration of the contributing buildings. It seems only fair that we'd be allowed to go to the same height we're currently allowed [100 feet] so that would bring us in par with the buildings surrounding us."

During the meeting last week, attended by more than 100 residents wearing tags that said "Height 35," both sides were allowed 40 minutes to convince the commission that their way was better.

When Jeffrey Bercow, the attorney representing the developer of the Arden Savoy Hotel -- the 100-foot building that began the height debate in February -- said he was there to represent the good guys, the crowd hissed.

Some in favor of maintaining the 100-foot status accused the preservationists of being involved only because the Arden Savoy Hotel would block views from their condos.

After the open discussion, Commissioner Saul Gross proposed a height of 35 feet for lots that were 50 feet wide, but failed to get the required five votes from the board.

After deliberating over 55 feet, and again not getting a majority vote, the 75-foot plan was developed by the commission from the various measurements provided.

"I see this as a stepping stone," said Christina LaBuzetta, president of the Ocean Drive Preservation Association. "This shows that the City Commission and people care about preservation and the scale of buildings within the historic area."

Angela Delgado can be reached at adelgado@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5001.